Eleanor Roosevelt

Early Life

• Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11, 1814 in New York City.

• She was the daughter of Elliot Roosevelt and Anna Hall Roosevelt.

• Eleanor after her father was nicknamed “Ellie” or “Little Nell”.

• Roosevelt was also the niece of President Theodore Roosevelt.

• She had two brothers, Elliot Roosevelt, Jr. and Hall Roosevelt were both born later.

• Roosevelt was born into a world of wealth and privilege.

• Eleanor’s mother died from diphtheria when she was eight, and her father died two years later from an alcoholic.

• Her brother Elliot also died from that same disease as her mother.

• Eleanor was later raised by her maternal grandmother, Mary Ludlow Hall.

• Most people described Eleanor as insecure and starved for affection considering her the “ugly duckling”.

• Her family decided to send her to Allenswood Academy, private school outside London, England.

Marriage and family Life

• In November 1904 Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt became engaged.

• Roosevelt at age 20 married Franklin Roosevelt, age 23, her fifth cousin once removed on March 17, 1905.

• They spent a formal honeymoon, a three month tour in Europe.

• The Roosevelt’s later had six children five whom survived infancy.

Eleanor Roosevelt as a child, teenager and adult.

Life in White House

• Following her husband’s presidency on March 4, 1933, she became the First Lady of the United States.

• She became a very important connection for Franklin’s administration to the African-American population during the segregation era.

• Eleanor was vocal in her support of the African-American civil rights movement.

• A highlight of the Roosevelt years was the 1939 visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

• They were also criticized in some different quarters for serving hot dogs to the royal couple during a picnic at Hyde Park.

Honors and Awards

• In Eleanor’s whole life time she received 48 honorary awards.

• Her first was a Doctor

Honors and Awards

• In Eleanor’s whole life time she received 48 honorary awards.

• Her first was a Doctor of Humane Letters. D.H.L.

• On June 13, 1929 was also the first honorary degree awarded by Russell Sage College in Troy.

Eleanor at Sunrise Campobello.